Newark police officer charged with bribery, fraud and conspiracy

Ed Murray/The Star-LedgerU.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman speaks at a March press conference in Newark. His office today returned an indictment against a Newark police officer in a $1.9 million bank fraud scheme.

NEWARK — A federal indictment returned today revealed additional charges against a Newark police officer caught up in a $1.9 million bank fraud scheme, officials said.

Officer Victor Patela, 35, and Jose Dominguez, 44, now face charges of making and receiving a bank bribery payment in addition to conspiracy and bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Patela, a 13-year veteran of the department, and Dominguez, a former employee at Spencer Savings Bank, took out a fraudulent $1.9 million loan in 2004 that ended up costing the bank $400,000, according to court documents.

Authorities allege Patela provided falsified land documents to Dominguez and lied about his net worth and cash holdings on loan applications. According to today's indictment, Patela also bribed Dominguez at various points in their relationship.

In August 2004, he wrote Dominguez a personal check for $100,000, according to the indictment.

The department suspended Patela when federal charges were first levied in February, and a police spokesman said today he is still a member of the Newark Police Department on limited duty.
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